Yes, you can keep your vehicle on the road and running efficiently for a long time… with proper care, that is. Even if you are leasing a vehicle, it’s still a prudent idea to implement the 8 things we will discuss in this blog post. Why? You will avoid expensive repair bills and your vehicle will run better. Even more importantly, you will feel confident in the safety of your engine systems when you know you’ve taken the proper steps to maintain your vehicle. In fact, the more effort you put into vehicle maintenance, the longer it will last.

By doing these 8 things, you will be able to keep your vehicle on the road longer:

1. Have the engine oil and filter changed regularly. The engine oil is crucial to keeping and extending engine life. Change it on time and the engine will run well. Allow it to get dirty and sludge-filled, you risk major engine damage. If you are wondering what type of oil to use and how often to have it changed, you can ask one of our certified auto technicians. Definitely don’t skip oil changes and don’t use a cheap oil filter. It makes a difference.
2. Change the engine air filter. You may be wondering how an air filter could make a difference to your vehicle’s operation. Without it, harmful debris, dirt and contaminants would enter your engine. Drive around with a clogged air filter and you’ll begin to notice poor engine performance. Continue to drive with a dirty air filter and you risk damaging the engine. Check your owner’s manual to see the recommended replacement schedule. When we perform our courtesy inspection, we will also let you know if the air filter is excessively dirty so you can have it replaced.
3. Maintain the cooling system. The main job of the cooling system is to keep your vehicle from overheating. If you don’t change the coolant regularly or change belts and hoses when they start getting worn, you could end up with serious engine damage. The coolant is designed to pull heat away from the engine and protect parts from corrosion. If it gets old, it can’t do its job. The engine will begin to run hotter and be at risk of overheating. An overheated engine could sustain major damage. It’s much more cost effective and safe to change the coolant regularly (we can check the protection level for you). You should also have belts and hoses replaced before they break.
4. Find an auto repair shop you trust, and bring your vehicle there for all your service and repairs. Some vehicle owners have their oil changed at the local quick lube retail store and they bring their vehicles to either the dealer or independent shop for other maintenance and repairs. There are definitely benefits to having your vehicle serviced at one place, like Geller’s Automotive. Our team gets to know you and your vehicle. Why is that helpful? We will know what services have been done so you can schedule appropriate maintenance when it needs to be done. Our technicians also complete a courtesy inspection when you bring your vehicle in so we can let you know when something needs to be replaced. It’s all about building a relationship.
5. Don’t ignore problems with your vehicle. If the Check Engine light is on, you notice a leak, and/or there’s a funny smell or sound coming from your vehicle, have it checked out right away. Many times, car problems are minor and can be fixed quickly. If you delay a repair, you could end up with an expensive repair or worse… hazardous driving conditions.
6. Never ignore dashboard warning lights. The dashboard warning lights are there to let you know something is wrong. Don’t ignore them, especially the critical warning lights (ones that are “red” in color). Take the time to read about the dashboard warning lights in your owner’s manual so if one comes on, you know what to do. Here’s a blog post we did on some of the critical warning lights.
7. Periodically walk around and inspect your vehicle. Driveway inspections are a simple way to see if there is anything not right with your vehicle. Check the tires for uneven wear, bulges, cracking and other signs of aging. Look at the tire tread depth and replace tires when their tread is low. Check the tire air pressure. Make sure all the lights are working. Check the condition and level of all vital engine fluids. Open the hood and inspect hoses and belts.
8. Keep your vehicle clean on the inside and outside. Winter road salts will cause corrosion, especially on the underbody of your vehicle. Regular car washes will remove those salts so they don’t rust out parts. Sun and the environment will cause damage to the finish of your vehicle. Make sure it is washed and waxed regularly. Sun can also damage vinyl and leather on the interior of your vehicle. Vacuum the interior often and apply protectants.

Need to schedule a service or repair on your vehicle? Contact Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey. today.